The Dangers of Black Mold in Your Pool

Black mold has been proven to cause a wide range of health problems, affecting all systems of the body. Black mold flourishes in damp environments and needs oxygen and a food source with cellulose to survive. Leftover leaves and plants in an insufficiently cleaned pool can be a hotbed for the toxic spores.

Respiratory Dangers

• Mold allergies have been shown to aggravate asthma as well as cause irritation to the respiratory system. Coughing, wheezing and a runny or stuffy nose are all symptoms of an allergic reaction to the mold that may be growing in your pool.

Other Physical Dangers

• Headaches, sore throats, dizziness, numbness, depression and fatigue have all also been linked to mold allergies. Toxic mold can cause many more severe symptoms. Humans are also susceptible to a mold infection, called Aspergillosis, which can be fatal.

Spore Spread

• Black mold spreads quickly as long as it continues to have a viable environment. It can spread from outdoors in your pool to damp surfaces in your home and cause serious health risks. Black mold can be eradicated through careful cleaning.

Structural Dangers

• Black mold can grow in the porous surface of your pool and cause damage to the material. Replacing or fixing your pool due to cracks and issues in the surface can be expensive and inconvenient.

Difficult to Eradicate

• Eradicating mold in your pool is only possible if you thoroughly drain and clean it. Clean the surface carefully and leave the cover off the pool until the surface is bone dry. Always wear gloves and eye wear while scrubbing the effected and surrounding areas. Disinfect the pool surface with diluted bleach to prevent further mold only after there are no traces of ammonia lingering. Follow the guidelines found on the EPA website for "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings" if the effected area is more than 10 square feet. Keep watching the area for continued mold growth.